Below are the various steps involved in the creation of a data retention policy. 1.Understand and determine the applicable legal requirements of the…

The correct sequence of steps involved in the creation of a data retention policy is 3 -> 1 -> 4 -> 5 ->

2. This is based on the following description of the data retention policy creation process from the

web search results:

Build a team: To design a data retention policy, you need a team of industry experts, such as legal, IT,

compliance, and business representatives, who can contribute their knowledge and perspectives to

the policy. The team should have a clear leader who can coordinate the tasks and communicate the

goals and expectations1.

Determine legal requirements: The team should research and understand the applicable legal and

regulatory requirements for data retention that affect the organization, such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI

DSS, etc. The team should also consider any contractual obligations or industry standards that may

influence the data retention policy2134.

Identify and classify the data: The team should inventory and categorize all the data that the

organization collects, stores, and processes, based on their function, subject, or type. The team

should also assess the value, risk, and sensitivity of each data category, and determine the

appropriate retention period, format, and location for each data category2134.

Develop the data retention policy: The team should draft the data retention policy document that

outlines the purpose, scope, roles, responsibilities, procedures, and exceptions of the data retention

policy. The policy should be clear, concise, and consistent, and should reflect the legal and business

requirements of the organization. The policy should also include a data retention schedule that

specifies the retention period and disposition method for each data category2134.

Ensure that all employees understand the organization’s data retention policy: The team should

communicate and distribute the data retention policy to all the relevant employees and

stakeholders, and provide training and guidance on how to comply with the policy. The team should

also monitor and enforce the policy, and review and update the policy regularly to reflect any

changes in the legal or business environment2134.

Reference:

How to Create a Data Retention Policy | Smartsheet, Smartsheet, July 17, 2019

What Is a Data Retention Policy? Best Practices + Template, Drata, November 29, 2023

Data Retention Policy: What It Is and How to Create One - SpinOne, SpinOne, 2020

How to Develop and Implement a Retention Policy - SecureScan, SecureScan, 2020